Condições de nascimento de filhos de puérperas infectadas pelo Trypanosoma cruzi, diagnosticadas a partir de triagem neonatal em Minas Gerais

Abstract

The prevalence rate of T-cruzi infection among puerperas in the state of Minas Gerais is around 0.5%, with a 0.2% vertical transmission rate. There are few studies on the effects of chronic chagasic infection during pregnancy and on the health of non-infected children. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the birth conditions of neonates born to T.cruzi-infected puerperas and the epidemiological characteristics of chagasic mothers in the State of Minas Gerais. Methods: A serological survey was conducted on 63,673 newborn babies in the state of Minas Gerais, by means of the search for specific igG in dried blood samples. If the results of serological screening of children were positive or indeterminate, confirmatory serology was requested for both child and mother. T-cruzi infection in the mothers was confirmed through positive serology in two different tests, and the childs serology was requested after the sixth month. Birth conditions of neonates were obtainedfrom the System of Information on Live Births. Results: 407 children born to T-cruziinfected mothers and 407 children born to non-infected mothers were involved in this study. The average age of seropositive mothers was 32 (CI95% 31,3-32,6), greater than the average age of seronegative mothers (25 CI 95% 24,86; 25,2). The mothers level of education was higher among non-chagasic mothers (p<0,001). Vaginal delivery was also more frequent among chagasic mothers (p=0,012). There was no significant difference between these two groups of children concerning sex, gestational age, birth weight or APGAR score between the 1st and 5th minutes. Conclusions: The average age of chagasic pregnant women was greater than the average age of the non-chagasic ones. Maternal Tcruzi infection did not interfere with the birth conditions of the newborn babies studied.